Fifty-nine percent of Americans are not convinced that President-elect Donald Trump has a mandate to make major policy changes, and most Americans were disappointed in the election result, according to a Washington Post-Schar School nationwide poll.
The breakdown in votes:
- Fifty-nine percent say he should compromise with Democrats when they disagree with his policies.
- Twenty-nine percent say he has mandate to install the agenda from his campaign.
President Barack Obama had better numbers when he took office in 2008: 50 percent said Obama had a mandate then. In 2000, 41 percent said President George W. Bush had a mandate.
When asked to describe how they felt about Trump's win, most expressed disappointment.
In the United States overall:
- Disappointed: 81 percent.
- Happy: 61 percent.
- Shocked: 50 percent.
- Good: 40 percent.
- Scared: 35 percent.
- Great: 32 percent.
- Disgusted: 25 percent.
- Excited: 25 percent.
- Sad: 23 percent.
- Okay: 21 percent.
Broad divisions were seen when breaking down the poll results between supporters of Trump and his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton. Among Trump voters, however, most were joyful.
- Happy: 58 percent.
- Good: 36 percent.
- Great: 29 percent.
- Excited: 25 percent.
- Need a change: 19 percent.
- Wonderful: 19 percent.
- Elated: 18 percent.
- Lesser of two evils: 17 percent.
- Good for America: 16 percent.
On the other hand, most Clinton voters were unhappy.
- Disappointed: 73 percent.
- Shocked/surprised: 30 percent.
- Scared: 27 percent.
- Sad: 22 percent.
- Disgusted: 20 percent.
- Devastated: 19 percent.
- Terrible: 16 percent.
- Criticized Trump: 16 percent.
Outside of concerns about Trump's mandate, more than 60 percent believe that Washington will see major changes during his presidency. A majority of voters also believe that standard of living and the economy will improve during Trump's presidency.
The poll was conducted among 1,002 voters, and included 423 Trump voters and 409 Clinton voters.
A Gallup survey also looked at voters' opinion of the incoming president, and found that voters after the election are now feeling more confident in his ability to lead the country.
- More confident: 51 percent.
- Less confident: 40 percent.
The Gallup poll also found that 19 percent of Clinton's supporters are more confident in Trump since the election.